PlatonicShred, I certainly agree that people dismiss newer musicians because they are so attached to their current or older heroes, but I think that the association of shred with soullessness is not at all unjustified. While there are many shred pioneers out there who have soulful, tasteful playing styles and good, earthy appeal, there are countless others who are all about exhibiting technique for the sake of it - while this can sometimes be good listening, it's little wonder that the average listener doesn't give players like this a chance with people like Michael Angelo Batio around.

For me, Eddie van Halen does not fall into the "tasteless wanker" category, but nor does he quite fit into the "tasteful innovator" group. He certainly revolutionised guitar technique, but I don't think he had many cogent musical ideas to express with his techniques. In my opinion, it was people like Steve Morse, Joe Satriani and Randy Rhoads who did that.